Clarke First Foreign Winner At Angell Park In Over 30 Years

By Bryan Gapinski, Sun Prairie, Wis., August 15, 2004--Adam Clarke from Newcastle, Australia captured the 25-lap Badger Midget Series feature, Sunday Night at Angell Park Speedway. Clarke became only the second driver from Australia to score a
feature victory in the tracks 57-year history. Billy Humphreys won the Badger feature at the facility on August 5, 1973. Clarke scored a Badger Series feature win in 2002 at a different facility.
Boyd Calvert paced the opening lap before New Zealand's Michael Pickens moved in front. Pickens opened up a eight car length lead, when he slowed on the sixth lap with a flat tire. On the restart Calvert led Aaron Fike, Scott Hatton, and Clarke. Clarke moved into second place on the ninth lap. Using the high groove which was very unstable at moments, Clarke passed Calvert at the line to lead the tenth lap.
Clarke, Hatton, and Fike pulled away from the field, and were separated by around two-three car lengths the next seven laps. Clarke began lapping the tail of the field, and increased his lead over Fike who moved into second
place, with four laps remaining.
Clarke finished 2.14 seconds ahead of Fike, Hatton, Brandon Waelti, and Calvert.
Hatton increased his series point lead over Davey Ray to 229 points, after Ray experienced engines problems in his heat race, and was unable to start the feature.
The series will make their first ever appearance at the Farley (Iowa) Speedway on Saturday Night August 21, before returning to Angell Park Speedway for the CornFest 50-lap feature event on August 22.